Adjustable level



Nov. 3, 1931. A. B. WALTERS ADJUSTABLE LEVEL Original Filed May 21, 1928 /////IIIIA Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES ARTHUR B. WALTERS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI ASSIGNOR 'IOQWESTERN TOOL EQUIPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF 'MISSOURI P ATEN T; ol=r=icr.

ADJUSTABLE LEVEL Application filed May 21, 1928, Serial No. 279,355. Renewed April 13, 1931.

This invention relates to an adjustable level of convenient form for use by mechanics, carpenters or other workmen to de-' termine the pitch or inclination of building or other structural elements in degrees, inches per foot, or in any other convenient units.

A further object of the invention is to produce a tool of the character described which is so constructed that it may be readily and easily set to a predetermined angle by registering the markings on a movable element with index marks on the frame, whereby the operator need then only bring the bubble in a spirit level to the center of its housing as common with all levels, to know that the base or straight edge of the tool is set to the desired angle with respect to the horizontal or vertical.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic frictional locking device to hold the adjustable part of the level at any desired setting, said lock being also manually adjustable to positively clamp and hold the moving member when many angles of the same degree are to be determined.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the spirit level may be adjusted as necessary to maintain proper relationship with the other parts of the tool.

With the general objects named in View, and others as will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel and useful features of construction and organization of parts as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side View of a level embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial central longitudinal section taken through the level.

Figure 3 is a central vertical section through the level as shown in Figure 2.

In the said drawings, 1 indicates any suitable strong and durable framework, formed along one of its edges with a straight edge or operating face 2, it being evident that the framework and straight edge may be extended to any desired length, depending upon the particular its ends, is formed with a centralopening surrounded by a frame/3, said frame being permanentlymarked adjacentits inner margin and on its opposite sides, with two pairs ofindex lines 1 and 5, respectively arranged in perfect parallelism and at an angle of ninetydegrees to the base or straight edge 2.

Fitted I accurately and rotatively within the frame 3 is a flat ring 6 formed on its opposite sides with a series of markings 7 and 8. Theformer is preferably marked from zero degrees to ninety degrees to the right and left respectively, and the latter from zero inches to twelve inches to the right and left respectively, to indicate inclination in degrees and in inches per foot, although it will be apparent that the scales may be marked with any desired units or indicating indicia. 1 The ring'6 is formed with a central circumferential groove 9 in its outer face to receive the reduced end 10 of a threaded thumb set lock 11 carrying a ball 12 held by a spring 13' in frictional contact with the bottom of the slot or groove 9. Thus, the operator by changing the tension on theball may insure the holding of the adjustable ring 6 in any desired position, it being remarked that if a positive lock is desired, the thumb screw 11 may be threaded downwardly until its reduced end 10 contacts with the ring 6 and positively clamps same against rotation. Under actual working conditions, it is probable that the greater part of the time the device will be used as an ordinary spirit level or as a plumb level, and therefore, as a matter ofqconvenience, the ring 6 is formed with four recesses of holes 14 normally in alinement with the horizontal and vertical markings on the frame 3 into which the ball lock 12 may be projected to hold the ring in adjustment with a somewhat more secure hold than if said recesses were not provided.

Although it is believed the ring 6 will probably be properly held in position within the frame 3 by thereduced end 10 of the thumb set screw 11 received within the slot 9 of the ring, it is thought desirable to posipurpose for which the tool is tively insure against accidental dislodgment by providing a pair of screws 15 carried by the frame 3, said screws having their ends received within the slot 9 as illustrated. It will be evident a screw or auxiliary retaining element may, desired, bercountersunk .in the straighted-ge or face '2 to perfornr the function of the screws 15. H 7

After the parts as above described have been assembled with the zero marks on "the-- ring 6 1n register with theproper'indexmarks on the frame 3, a split ring 16 equipped with a bubble or spirit level 17 fitted in aprotec tive housingi18, is slipped within said ring,

6. The straight edge 2 is now placedon a level-surface, andthe ring 16 is adjusted until the bubble in the spirit level 17-indi' cates horizontalisnn The ring 16 isn'ow locked :in position by threading between its ends an expanding. or conical locking screw 19,- which expands the ring and clampsit tightly in position. If the ring 16 should slip and come outof-adjustment, it maybe readily returned to alinement as above described.

It is believed the construction ofthe device has-been sufficiently -'set forth and that recapitulatioir -is unnecessary other than :to state that the adjustable or operating ring 6.is preferably formed on its-opposite sides with a -pair-of outwardly projecting: operating knobs-or. handles 20 by meansof which the operator may readily set thevtool to the desired position. Itisto be understood that whilexIrhave described and claimed the preferred embodiment of the-invention, I reserve thewright to makeall' changes properly falling within 'the spirit and scope :of i the 'ap" pended claimr.

Iclaim:

In .an adjustable level the combination withazsupportin g frame-work having anlan nular'casing a straight edge-carried by: said framework; agrooved ringrotativelymounted in the casing; a clamping element carried by the'casing andadapted to apply clamping action on the 'ring by engagement with the bottom of the groovetherein, a guide carried by the casing and projecting into said groove, a second ring'rotativelymounted in the-firstinamed ring, means for maintaining said sec-' ond ring. against movement, and aspiritlevel carried bysaid second ring In testimony whereof I aflix niy signature-.2

ARTHUR B. WALTERS; 

